Strengthening Threat Reduction: ISTC and STCU

Reducing the risk of illegal application of scientific knowledge in nuclear, biological and chemical weapon programmes

During the cold war a very large number of scientists and engineers were trained to work in the military programmes of the main adversaries. Military spending and investment was scaled back substantially in the countries of the former Soviet Union after the end of the cold war in conditions of economic decline. The concern that financial hardship would lead scientists and engineers to apply their knowledge and skills in unauthorized military programmes outside their own countries led to the creation of instruments to help them use their skills in a constructive and peaceful manner.

The European Union has provided economic support to a number of these instruments and has participated in their development and management.

The International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), Moscow

In 1992 the EU, Japan, Russia and the USA established the ISTC as an international organization with a Governing Board made up of representatives from the EU, Japan, Russia and the USA. In addition, one seat on the board is occupied on a rotational basis by countries located on the territory of the FSU that have become parties to the agreement. Apart from Russia, six other states are currently parties to the ISTC Agreement: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and (as of 2003) Tajikistan.

The Governing Board approves new parties, sets funding criteria and decides which projects to fund on behalf of the ISTC. The ISTC has a Coordination Committee charged with overseeing project implementation and a Secretariat, which is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the ISTC. In addition, all parties select and designate participants to a Scientific Advisory Board on the basis of their technical expertise in areas where the ISTC carries out projects.

The ISTC main office is in Moscow while branch offices have been established in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The ISTC functions as a clearing house for scientific and technical projects generated by Russian individuals and establishments. Through the ISTC these entities can publicize their activities and seek partners. The ISTC maintains databases of projects and researchers and can also help to establish cooperation through electronic communications, by supporting the costs of international travel by Russian entity representatives and by organizing and financing seminars with foreign partners.

The ISTC also evaluates proposals from the Russian side and can suggest modifications based on recommendations either from its Scientific Advisory Committee or from its international staff. The centre helps Russian entities to secure international patents for ideas and inventions with potential commercial applications created in ISTC-sponsored projects. The ISTC is also a source of project funding—both by using its own resources and by helping projects to find financial support from governments, intergovernmental organizations or NGOs that support its work.

The Science and Technology Centre, Ukraine (STCU)

The STCU was founded in 1993 as an international organization by Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the United States with the objective of supporting the peaceful activities of Ukrainian scientists once involved in the development of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons as well as missile delivery systems for them. In 1998 the European Union joined the STCU. Subsequently, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Uzbekistan have acceded to the international STCU Agreement.

Strengthening the G8 Global Partnership

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Any reproduction of text and data is authorized only by permission, SIPRI July 2004.